Chairperson of the Socialist group in the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, has called Dutch Freedom Party MEP Barry Madlener a racist. His comments were made during a debate in Strasbourg about the Polish presidency of the European Union. The Polish took over the rotating six-month presidency on 1 July.
President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso said he also heard things during the debate that “were close to racism”. He did not name the Dutch MEP by name. Mr Madlener said the Netherlands “does not want to maintain unemployed Poles or Romanian beggers.” Mr Schulz said his language was “inspired by racism”.
Mr Madlener asked the parliamentary speaker Jerzy Buzek to reprimand Mr Schulz, but instead he allowed the debate to continue. Mr Madlener called this a case of double standards. A British MEP was removed from the chamber last November after he interrupted a speech by MEP Schulz with a Nazi slogan.
Mr Madlener strongly denies being a racist, but he does think he should be able to talk about specific issues. “Unfortunately there are a lot of Romanian criminals active in the Netherlands. I have been robbed twice by Romanians myself.”
Mr Madlener pointed out the Mr Schulz is due to succeed Mr Buzek as speaker of the European Parliament. He thinks the German socialist is not suited to the job.
(nc/imm)
© Radio Netherlands Worldwide
Email this Bulletin
Printer-friendly version
The spectacle of right wing Dutch politicians inciting hatred and using hate speech is hardly a novel one. I am surprised to see people taken aback by such hateful comments, especially in that the rhetoric by others like Wilders and Fortyn are even more virulent.
If Dutch don't want to contribute to the welfare of Romanians, why should Romanian contribute to the welfare of the Dutch? Romanian must urgently boycott any business based in the Netherlands. They should remove their money from Romanian branches of ING bank, refuse to fly with KLM, stop buybng Philips electronics.
Romanians boycott Netherland products!
Dacia Felix, you are right! Let's boycott all items!
Good plan. Nothing will drag the Dutch down to their knees like taking 50 Euros out of their economy.
It is not about 50 euro, it is by example 1.32 billion euro profit that ING makes in Romania. Not to mention other companies, Heineke, Phillips, KLM, etc. Boycotting all Dutch companies in Romania would make these Dutch politicians think twice before insulöting Romanians
You want to know thee quickest way to bring the Dutch to their knees? No, I will tell you anyways. "If", you can, take them to a church and lay hands on them until they feel the Spirit (not alcohol) come upon them. If they don't fall to their knees, then there isn't anything anyone can do for them spirtually. If the spirit, doesn't work, then take away their "dope". The fastest way to get a Dutchman to his knees is to take away his "dope" supply. They will all be on their needs praying to their humanistic "dope" god.
So since double the percentage of Americans do drugs than Netherlanders, does this advice apply doubly to them?
Lets see, now. The U.S has approximately 275 million people whereas the Netherlands has approximately 16 million (not counting the the Polish and Romanians who are to be deported back to their homelands via freight trains). No, I wouldn't say "double". But if you want it to be so, then I am with you on your opinion. See, I not a disagreeable individual. There are a lot "dope' heads in the U.S. and they all want make at least one Hajj every year to their Mecca( the Netherlands ) to celebrate their god, the "weed" and to partake of it's THC nectar.
The word 'percentage' refers a number out of sample of a hundred, in this case, people. In other words, the average American is twice as likely to do drugs as the average Dutch person. Is that why you're having trouble concentrating?
How about a ratio?
Easy now. Madlener is a joke to be sure. Robbed twice by Romanians? Did he check their ID cards? The PVV's message is that all problems in Dutch society are fault of minorities and foreigners. Most Dutch don't believe that. The 2010 Dutch General Election which placed Mr Madlener in parliament saw only 16% of the Dutch vote going to his party, and 84% to other parties.
To vilify all Dutch for the comments of one (or a few) opportunistic idiots would be wrong. Just as it would be wrong to discriminate against all Romanians because of the hateful words of extremist Corneliu Vadim Tudor. The goal of the EU is to bring people together. Let's not allow these ultranationalists to push us apart.
And ignore also the comments of Hiram1 below. His blind hatred of the Dutch people is the only reason he posts here. I don't know how if he thinks he was ever robbed by a Dutch person, but he only posts anti-Netherlands rhetoric here. From all angles too. He'll promote the PVV one day, then recommend boycotting the Dutch because of them the next. What a way to spend one's retirement!
Retirement is great! Oh, did I ever say I was personally robbed by a Dutch person? I don't think so. I discused Madlener's statement. Now, don't get me wrong mate. I support Geert on some of the issues facing the Netherlands, Europe, and the West but I do not support all of his issues. If he supports Madlener's stance on the Polish issue, then I do not support him. Yes, the Dutch do need to get boycotted for wanting to punish the Polish, Romanians, and their own citizens for being anti-social. P.S. Geert, my friend, if you are reading this opinion, please don't support any anti-Polish "and" Romania stance as Madlener's. They are a great people who knows what it is like to live under tyranny. They are not bombing buildings, trains, and airplanes. Be nice, Geert! I remember your NYC speech. "No, mosque here!" How about "no tryanny" here in the Netherlands!
I think you misinterpreted the article and comments so I'll try to help.
1)Freedom Party MP Barry Madlener said hurtful things about Polish (and Romanian) people.
2)Commenters here are talking of boycotting the Dutch because of what Madlener said.
3)Now you claim to support both Madlener and a those offended by what he said? That's nonsensical. You have to pick one or the other.
Anyways, if not a robbery, what was it that caused you to hate the Netherlands so much? Herring? I promise not to tease you.
Anonymous, here is is what I wrote "If he supports Madlener's stance on the Polish issue, then I do not support him." and "P.S. Geert, my friend, if you are reading this opinion, please don't support any anti-Polish "and" Romania stance as Madlener's." Please read again! I did not support Medlener. As to the Netherlands, I have lived there and found it to be a beautiful place. No, I found the herring to be excellent! Tease all you want! That is one trait, I like about the Dutch. Oh, one of my grandfathers was a Dutchman. He went by the name Van Pelt. I wonder what made him leave the Netherlands? Maybe, the Herring was too much for him! Or, he saw more freedom in America.
Oh, I see your latest comment. We're not religious enough. Oh well. That's a pity.
No, the Netherlands is a very religious country. Haven't you read some of RNW's articles on the decline of Christianity in the Netherlands but at the same time the rise of Islamic immigrants into the country? Before, you know it, the Netherlands will be very religious state. You have plenty of religion in the Netherlands. Before, you know it, the freedoms you think you have will become like the Christian faith in the Netherlands. Null!
I like HiramI! To let you know, so you'll know.
Thanks, LaLaLand!
There were also a lot of Dutch criminals active in the world, in particular during Dutch colonial times!They robbed people blind, to the left to the right and everywhere!.
And, they are still doing it.
Spanish:
The Japaneses are not European nor the South Koreans.The Jewish people:¡Are they Europeans?
Jewish people are Europeans, Americans, Mexicans, and many other nationalities.
After all, Judaism is a religion not an ethnicity as so many people including politicians and the media mistake.
Provoking accusations such as these, are the cutting of teeth and the proving of mettle for Geert's minions in the PVV, throughout Dutch and European institutions. That no one as yet has commented on the accompnaying photo to this atricle of a congraduatory Geert celebrating one of his colleagues. In "Beau Geste" the famous quote is that "... the Legion always needs heroes.". The punch line of the PVV is "... that Europe always needs scapegoats."
"The punch line of the PVV is "... that Europe always needs scapegoats."....David Berridge, Europeans have always needed "scapegoats" for their failures. The French did it with the Romas, the Dutch with their anti-social citizens, the Germans with the Jewish people, etc. Our buddy Geert is a product of Europe. Europe is where our major wars have taken place and the Europeans are going to do it again. Please be a bit nicer with our buddy Geert. He is not completely wrong about the threats facing Europe and the West.
Hiram and Markey,
Guys, Polish is NOT A RACE, neither is Romanian. It is IMPOSSIBLE that Mr. Madlener's comments were racist, you dummies...
Erichs Laimins, I never stated anything about race. But, since you brought-up the subject about others being dummies, lets discuss the ethnicity of the vast majority of Polish people who are from Poland. First, when a name such as Polish, American, German, etc is used, one thinks of nationality. There are many ethnic groups in the U.S., Germany, and even the Netherlands with different cutural factors with specific ancestry, language and beliefs. When a polish person gives-up his Polish citizenship and becomes a citizen of the Netherlands, he is no longer Polish but Dutch. When he becomes familar with his new, Dutch neighbours, do you think most of his neighbours will see him as being Dutch? I don't think, so. They will see his ethnicity of Polish and they will tag him as Polish. Why, because of his ethnic traits and culture. Now, a large percentage of Polish people are Slovak, which is not a nationality, and when people like Mr. Madlener makes a negative comment about them, he is not talking about one's nationality but about one's ethnicity. You are right about Polish not being a race but you can bet his comment was a racial comment and it was directed at the Slovak people of Poland. Erichs, it is possible Mr. Madlener's comments were racist in nature.
"Mr Madlener said the Netherlands “does not want to maintain unemployed Poles or Romanian beggers."...Markey, the Dutch people are not as tolerant as they claim. The quote by Madlener implies that the Dutch do not want to maintain people (Polish) and he then classified them with beggers (Romanian). I understand that the Dutch nation does not want to support people who do not work; but, his statement about beggers is wrong. Maybe, the Polish people should stop buying products from the Netherlands. Markey, I will support your ban on products from the Netherlands. You need to start an anti-Netherlands in Poland. I will not buy any of their "weed" or gin and I will actively speak out against both of those products. I only buy products made in the U.S. and Canada. No more Dutch products!!!!!!!!!!!
Facts seem to show that the Dutch ARE very racist towards the Poles. In fact, the Dutch seem to be amongst the worst Polonophobes in Europe. Where does this Dutch Polonophobia come from? Does it come from the tradition of the Dutch Waffen SS during WWII? I wish all my Polish countrymen left Holland immediately,and Poland broke its diplomatic relations with that country
. I think that by this recent Polonophobic racism the Dutch have created a hostility that will last for centuries. We will remember.